Katerina Swanson
Diesel fuel is susceptible to freezing and gelling in cold weather. This is due to the presence of paraffin wax in the fuel, which begins to solidify when temperatures drop, causing the fuel to turn cloudy and gel-like. This can clog fuel filters and lines, preventing fuel flow and rendering the engine useless. While diesel fuel does not technically freeze in the same way that water does, it can enter a solid or waxy state known as
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Freezing point of diesel | -9.5ºC or 15ºF |
| Temperature at which paraffin creates cloudy deposits within the fuel | 0°C or 32°F |
| Cold filter plugging point (CFPP) | -4°C |
| Summer grade fuel CFPP | -4°C |
| Winter grade fuel CFPP | -15°C |
| Anti-gel additives | MotorKote Anti-Gel + Conditioner, Fuel Ox® Star Plus™ Bio |
| Prevention | Keep the tank topped up, use a summer and winter diesel blend |
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What You'll Learn
- Diesel fuel contains paraffin wax, which solidifies in cold temperatures
- This solidification causes fuel gelling, which can block fuel filters
- Fuel gelling can lead to fuel starvation, preventing engines from starting
- Water in diesel fuel can freeze, obstructing fuel lines and water separators
- Anti-gel additives can be used to lower the freezing point of diesel fuel
Diesel fuel contains paraffin wax, which solidifies in cold temperatures
Diesel fuel contains paraffin wax, which is an important component that improves its viscosity and lubrication. However, when temperatures begin to fall, this paraffin wax thickens and turns into a cloudy mixture. This is known as the fuel's "cloud point", which typically happens when temperatures reach about 32–40 degrees Fahrenheit.
As the temperature continues to drop, the wax begins to solidify and turns into a gel-like substance. This point is known as the fuel's "pour point", at which the wax crystals have formed enough to prevent the fuel from flowing freely, causing it to clog fuel lines and filters. This can lead to hard starts, noticeable loss of power, and a negative impact on fuel economy. Eventually, if the temperature drops low enough, the fuel can freeze altogether and no longer flow, becoming unusable until it re-liquifies.
To prevent diesel fuel from gelling and freezing, it is essential to control the temperature of the engine and fuel storage facility. When the engine is running, the fuel is moving and flowing and doesn't have the opportunity to solidify. Additionally, winter diesel fuel additives can be used to prevent the paraffin wax from gelling and solidifying. These additives can also improve cold engine starts and remove harmful deposits from fuel injectors. Mixing in small amounts of kerosene with diesel fuel can also help reduce the temperature at which the wax crystals solidify.
Diesel fuel suppliers typically offer different blends for summer and winter to ensure that the fuel supply is appropriate for the season. Summer-grade fuel has a higher cloud point and is not suitable for use in winter, while winter-grade fuel has a lower cloud point to prevent gelling and waxing issues. It is recommended to keep the fuel tank topped up to ensure the correct grade of fuel is being used and to prevent water from entering the fuel system, which can also cause blockages when temperatures drop below freezing.
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This solidification causes fuel gelling, which can block fuel filters
Diesel fuel contains paraffin wax, which is an important component that improves its viscosity and lubrication. In normal temperatures, the wax is in an oily liquid form in the fuel. However, when the outside temperature drops and reaches the "cloud point", the paraffin wax begins to solidify and turns into a cloudy mixture, eventually leading to diesel fuel gelling. This solidification causes fuel gelling, which can block fuel filters.
The cloud point is the temperature at which paraffin creates cloudy deposits within the fuel. The majority of good-quality fuels have a cloud point of around 32°F/0°C (untreated). However, the cloud point can vary depending on fuel characteristics. When diesel reaches the cloud point, a noticeable white haze appears as the paraffin wax crystalizes. This is an indication that the diesel fuel is starting to gel.
As the temperature continues to drop, the diesel fuel will eventually reach the gel point, at which it turns into a gel-like substance that cannot flow through the fuel lines and filters. The gel point is typically around 15°F/-9.5°C for diesel fuel. Below this temperature, diesel vehicles will have significant trouble starting their engines or may not start at all.
To prevent diesel fuel gelling, it is recommended to use an anti-gel fuel supplement, such as MotorKote Anti-Gel + Conditioner. Anti-gel additives lower the freezing point of diesel fuel, making it less likely to gel or freeze in cold weather. These additives can be added before or after fuelling and will not damage the engine. Additionally, it is important to adjust the properties of diesel fuel seasonally to ensure good performance in low temperatures. Fuel suppliers manage hydrocarbon blends, but they cannot control unusual weather swings or fuel that is transported to colder climates.
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Fuel gelling can lead to fuel starvation, preventing engines from starting
Diesel fuel contains paraffin wax, which exists as an oily liquid in normal temperatures. However, in cold weather, the wax crystallizes and solidifies, leading to diesel fuel gelling. This occurs when diesel fuel becomes thick and viscous, eventually transforming into a gel-like substance. This gel formation obstructs the flow of fuel through the engine, causing severe engine performance issues.
As the gelled fuel passes through the fuel system, it can accumulate and clog the fuel filters and lines. This clogging restricts the flow of fuel, compromising the overall efficiency of the system. The thickened fuel cannot properly atomize and mix with air, causing incomplete combustion and increased emissions. This not only affects the performance of the vehicle but also contributes to environmental pollution.
When the fuel filters become clogged, the pressure within the fuel system increases, putting additional stress on components such as the fuel pump and injectors. This can lead to costly repairs and even complete system failure. Fuel gelling can also cause rough idling, stalling, and difficulty starting the engine. In severe cases, the engine may suffer from fuel starvation, leading to engine damage or failure.
Fuel starvation occurs when the fuel system fails to supply sufficient fuel for the engine to run properly. This can be due to blockage, such as the clogged filters caused by fuel gelling. As a result, there is still fuel in the tank, but it is unable to reach the engine in sufficient quantity, leading to loss of power or engine stoppage. In some cases, fuel starvation can cause the engine to not start at all.
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Water in diesel fuel can freeze, obstructing fuel lines and water separators
Diesel fuel has a much higher freezing point than petrol and is prone to gelling in cold weather. This is due to the presence of paraffin wax in diesel, which thickens as temperatures drop, causing the fuel to become cloudy and gel-like. If temperatures drop further, the fuel can freeze altogether and become unusable.
While diesel fuel itself has a low risk of freezing, water in diesel fuel can freeze and obstruct fuel lines and water separators. Water can enter diesel fuel through storage, handling, or condensation forming in the tanks. In cold weather, water in diesel fuel can freeze at 32°F (0°C), blocking filters and pipes and causing abrasive wear to fuel systems. This can lead to fuel starvation, where the engine is unable to receive fuel and may shut down.
To prevent water-related issues in diesel fuel, good housekeeping practices are essential. This includes periodically draining water from fuel tanks, maintaining the seals of fuel storage tanks, and allowing settling time for fuel after delivery to allow water separation. Additionally, chemical treatments such as glycol ethers can be used to suppress the freeze point of water in diesel systems and prevent filter plugging.
Water in diesel fuel can also provide an environment for microbial growth, leading to further issues. Microbes, such as bacteria and fungi, can multiply in the water-diesel interface, producing acids that corrode tanks and clog filters. Therefore, it is crucial to control water content in diesel fuel and implement proper maintenance practices to avoid issues related to freezing and microbial contamination.
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Anti-gel additives can be used to lower the freezing point of diesel fuel
Diesel fuel has a much higher freezing point than petrol and is prone to gelling in cold weather. This is due to the presence of paraffin wax in the fuel, which improves its viscosity and lubrication. In normal temperatures, the wax is an oily liquid, but when the temperature drops, it begins to solidify and turn into a cloudy mixture, eventually leading to diesel fuel gelling. This can cause fuel filters and lines to become clogged, preventing fuel flow and rendering the engine useless.
To prevent diesel fuel from gelling or crystallizing, anti-gel additives can be used. These additives are designed to lower the freezing point of diesel fuel, making it less likely to freeze in cold temperatures. They work by lowering the Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP), which is the lowest temperature at which fuel will still flow through a specific filter. By reducing the CFPP, anti-gel additives prevent fuel lines and filters from clogging and ensure smooth engine operation.
Anti-gel additives are easy to use, as they can simply be added to the fuel tank. It is recommended to start using them when temperatures approach freezing, and to add more in preparation for rapid drops in temperature. The amount of additive needed depends on the quality of the diesel fuel and the temperature, with more additive required at lower temperatures.
In addition to anti-gel additives, there are other measures that can be taken to prevent diesel fuel gelling. These include using kerosene, which has a lower gelling point than diesel, or a kerosene-blended fuel. However, kerosene may result in reduced fuel mileage and efficiency. Another option is to use a winter-specific diesel blend, which has a lower cloud point and is designed for use in colder temperatures.
By using anti-gel additives and taking other preventive measures, diesel fuel can be protected from gelling and freezing, ensuring that vehicles continue to operate smoothly even in cold weather conditions.
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Frequently asked questions
Diesel fuel contains paraffin wax, which solidifies when temperatures drop, causing the fuel to gel and block filters and lines. This can happen while driving, and it will prevent fuel flow, rendering the engine useless.
Diesel starts to freeze at 32°F, which is its "cloud point". At 15°F, diesel will become gel-like and cause issues with starting the engine.
If diesel freezes while driving, the engine will stop running, and the vehicle will not be driveable until the fuel re-liquifies.
To prevent diesel fuel from freezing, you can use an anti-gel fuel supplement, which lowers the freezing point of diesel fuel. Keeping your tank topped up can also help to keep free water out of the fuel, preventing ice crystals from forming.
If your diesel fuel freezes, you can try using a de-icer to get the vehicle running in an emergency. However, adding alcohol to diesel is generally discouraged. You will need to wait until the fuel re-liquifies, which may require raising the temperature.
